What we know so far
• Two members of the West Virginia National Guardsmen who were shot in Washington, DC are in critical condition, officials said today. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser described the attack as a “targeted shooting.”
• The guardsmen were performing “high visibility patrols” when they were shot, according to police officials, who added the suspected shooter was “subdued” and taken into custody.
• Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has asked for 500 more National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, DC, following the shooting, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said.
DC mayor describes today's attack on 2 National Guardsmen as a "targeted shooting”
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned what she called a “targeted shooting” in the district that left two National Guardsmen in critical condition.
She offered prayers to the incident’s victims and loved ones.
Democratic congressional leaders denounce shooting of 2 National Guardsmen
Democratic congressional leaders denounced today’s shooting of two National Guardsmen and thanked law enforcement for reacting to the scene quickly.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer: “My heart breaks for the victims of this horrific shooting in Washington DC near the White House. I am closely monitoring the situation and am praying for the wounded National Guardsmen and their families. I thank all the first responders for their quick action to capture the suspect.”
House of Representatives Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Praying for the National Guard members wounded in this horrific shooting. Thankful for the brave law enforcement officers and first responders who swiftly apprehended a suspect. There is no place for violence in America.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson praises National Guard's work in wake of shooting
House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the “heroic work” of the National Guard in D.C. as he called for prayers in the wake of the shooting Wednesday in DC.
There’s no indication that there is any other suspect, MPD officer says
Police said there are no other suspects except the one currently in custody.
“So, no at this time, there is no indication there was any other suspect. The one suspect that was involved in this incident, they were shot during the interaction, and they were transported to the hospital for treatment,” Jeffery Carroll, executive assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Department said during a news conference today.
The shooting will be treated as an assault on a federal law enforcement officer, FBI director says
FBI Director Kash Patel called today’s shooting of two National Guardsmen a “heinous act” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Gunman opened fire on National Guardsmen as they performed “high visibility patrols,” DC police says
Today at around 2:15p ET, members of the National Guard were performing “high visibility patrols” in DC before a suspect appeared, “raised his arm with a firearm and discharged at the National Guard,” according to Executive Assistant Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department Jeffery Carroll.
At a press conference, Carroll said that after “some back and forth” the guardsmen were “able to subdue the individual and bring them into custody.”
DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene, where they provided first aid, Carroll said.
The suspect, as well as the National Guard members, were transported to area hospitals and are being treated, he added.
Two National Guardsmen in critical condition after shooting in downtown DC, officials say
The two National Guardsmen who were shot today in downtown Washington, DC, are in critical condition, FBI Director Kash Patel and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a news conference.
“To the American public and the world, please send your prayers to those brave warriors who are in critical condition and their families,” Patel said.
Bowser later added: “I too want to send my thoughts and prayers to the families of the guardsmen and to the guardsmen who are in critical condition in a local hospital.”
NOW: DC officials hold news conference after today's shooting
Washington, DC, officials along with the Metropolitan Police Department are holding a news conference to provide updates from today’s shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC.
Elected officials should be cautious before commenting on shootings, CNN law enforcement expert says
We’re hearing conflicting reports about the status of the National Guardsmen who were shot today in Washington, DC.
CNN chief law enforcement analyst John Miller says it’s crucial that elected officials exercise caution before releasing information to the public during sensitive incidents.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey earlier said both guardsmen were believed to be dead, but later said on social media there were “conflicting reports” about their conditions.
“It is a series of pixels that, you know, you have to develop and get a richer picture as you go. So, I’m not surprised at the sudden reversal, but we can only pray that it’s correct and that it stays correct. That one or more of them has survived,” he added.
Trump requests 500 additional National Guard troops sent to DC, Secretary of Defense says
President Donald Trump has asked for 500 more National Guard troops to be deployed to Washington, DC, following the shooting of two National Guardsmen, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.
Hegseth will make the request to the Secretary of the Army.
“This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington DC safe and beautiful,” he said.
A federal judge ruled last week that Trump and the Defense Department illegally deployed the National Guard in Washington, DC. While the order for that decision was delayed to allow time for an appeal, adding more troops would fly in the face of that order.
In the order, the judge noted the “substantial risk” that the deployment “is going to lead to a dangerous or deadly encounter that could be catastrophic for public safety.”
This post has been updated with additional details.
In photos: National Guardsmen shot in Washington, DC
Two members of the West Virginia National Guardsmen have been shot in Washington, DC. Their conditions are unknown, according to the state’s Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
The guardsmen engaged in gunfire with the suspected shooter, who was detained and transported away from the scene on a stretcher.
See photos from the scene:
Guardsmen appeared to be targeted, suspect not cooperating
The suspect approached the guardsmen appearing to target them, firing first at one of the guardsmen who was mere feet away, according to three law enforcement sources.
One source said the suspect then fired at the other guardsman who tried to get behind a bus stop shelter.
The source said the suspect is not cooperating with investigators and had no identification on him at the time of his arrest.
There’s a large swarm of police activity at the scene of the shooting
CNN correspondent Brian Todd is on-scene near the location of today’s shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC.
The shooting happened not far from the White House, Todd said.
“There’s a huge swarm of police activity. We believe the shooting just occurred just down this block, according to the Joint Task Force, which oversees the National Guard. The shooting occurred near the Farragut West Metro Station,” he said.
Todd noted that there are Secret Service officers directing traffic “trying to get traffic cleared from this area.”
He said the area in Washington is very restricted; only those who parked in the area or are staying at a hotel are allowed through. Not even foot traffic is allowed on the street, he said.
Todd also spoke to a witness who heard the gunshots, but didn’t actually see the shooting. He said she turned around and saw people administering CPR to people who were on the ground.
Vance, addressing troops in Kentucky, says motive unknown in shooting of National Guardsmen
Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday the motive behind the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, is unknown, calling the incident a “somber reminder” of the risks service members face.
“You may have seen this on your phones or on social media, but apparently there was a shooting outside the White House just a couple of hours ago, and we’re still learning everything. We still don’t know the motive. There’s a lot that we haven’t yet figured out,” Vance said as he took the stage at Kentucky’s Fort Campbell.
“First of all, I want everybody who’s a person of faith to say a prayer for those two national guardsmen,” Vance added.
“I think it’s a somber reminder that soldiers, whether they’re active duty, reserve or National Guard, our soldiers are the sword and the shield of the United States of America.”
One victim transferred by air to local hospital, US Park Police says
One of the victims in Wednesday’s shooting was transferred by air to a local hospital, the United States Park Police said in a post on X.
It wasn’t immediately clear if the victim was one of the National Guardsmen or the suspect.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” the agency said.
No other shooting victims in National Guardsmen shooting, source familiar with investigation says
Law enforcement officials are not tracking any other victims of Wednesday’s shooting beyond the two National Guard officers and the suspect, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
The source also said that suspect was shot by law enforcement and the motive of the shooter is still unclear at the early stage of the investigation.
2 National Guardsmen shot, and their conditions are unknown, West Virginia governor says
Two National Guardsmen from West Virginia have been shot in Washington, DC, and their conditions are unknown, according to Gov. Patrick Morrisey.
Morrisey earlier said that the guardsmen were believed to be dead, but later said on social media that were “conflicting reports” about their conditions.
The guardsmen were deployed to Washington from West Virginia.
This post has been updated with further comments from Morrisey.
FBI director and US attorney general call for prayers after National Guardsmen shot
FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi are calling for prayers after two National Guardsmen were shot.
FBI and other federal agents are scene to assist with the investigation, the officials said.
“Please pray for them and we will update with more information as we are able,” Patel said in a post on X, while Bondi asked people to “PRAY for our DC National Guard.”
Reagan National Airport air traffic halted for medevac helicopters for shooting near White House
The Federal Aviation Administration briefly halted all flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following Wednesday’s shooting near the White House.
An agency spokesperson tells CNN the FAA did briefly stop departures for 19 minutes in the area due to the medevac helicopter related to the shooting, but normal operations at the airport have resumed.
The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority said the flight delays were tied to the law enforcement activity in downtown DC, according to a statement obtained by CNN. “DCA passengers should expect flight delays and check with their airline for schedule updates,” it read.
No DCA flights have been canceled in the last 24 hours, according to FlightAware.
Trump says 2 Guardsmen "critically wounded" and shooter severely hurt too, Trump says
President Donald Trump said today that two National Guardsmen have been “critically wounded” in the shooting in Washington, DC.
The president said the shooter is also “severely wounded” and will “pay a very steep price.”
